Sept. 11 6-7:30pm
Dads and middle school daughters bball
Sept. 13
6:45pm Back to School Night for grades 3-5 Sept. 14
8th graders "Transitioning to High School" 2:30pm Library Sept. 15
6:45pm Back to School Night for grades 6-8
Sept. 17 School-wide yard sale to benefit 8th grade trip to D.C. 8am-2pm Sept. 20 Fall Session of Perks begins Sept. 22 Parenting in the Digital Age Ofer Zur, Ph.D. 6:30-8:30 pm October 9 6-7:30pm Dads and middle school sons bball October 22 "Imagine: An Evening in Havana" 5pm November 6 6-7:30pm Dads and daughters grades 3-5 bball December 4 6-7:30pm Dads and sons grades 3-5 bball |
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Please read to the bottom of this email each week for important school announcements!
|
 Presentation's Founding Teachers Celebrating the Start of Our 15th Anniversary Year at Last Week's Liturgy Reflection by Lydia Davis at the Liturgy: "14 years ago, The Presentation School opened its doors to 100 eager students at the Community Center in downtown Sonoma. Our quarters were humble, but our spirits were high. This day was the culmination of the efforts by a dedicated group of teachers, parents, and community members to found an independent school in the Catholic tradition. We took our name from the Sisters of the Presentation Convent, who had opened the first Catholic School in the Valley in the 19th century. Our founders included parents, teachers, and community members who have been invited to join us today as we begin our 15th year."
There are contrasts and similarities between then and now: 1997- Opening day enrollment was 100 students 2011- Opening day enrollment was 184 students 1997- Mrs. Wallace was our school secretary 2011- Mrs. Wallace is our school secretary 1997- We were eagerly looking forward to our first all school field trip to the Academy of Sciences 2011- We are eagerly looking forward to an all school field trip to the Academy of Sciences 1997- We were located in temporary quarters at the Community Center searching for a permanent site and making fund raising plans 2011 - We are located on our permanent site, and beginning our 6th year in this beautiful campus 1997 - Our school newsletter was a printed document sent home in back packs 2011 - Our school newsletter is transmitted electronically 1997/2011 - Our mission was, and is, to be: an independent school based upon and guided by Catholic Values. Embracing the uniqueness of children in their preparation as life-long learners, the K-8 school provides an integrated, rigorous curriculum, emphasizing high expectations active learning and the arts. Within our small class environment students are challenged to reach their individual potentials. |
|
Presentation School Parent's Association
Speaker Series: PARENTING IN THE DIGITAL AGE
Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 6:30-8:30 pm 
Tips from our Sept. 22 speaker, Dr. Ofer Zur: - Ask your child to show you what he/she does online
- Sit down and play the game with them for a bit
- Ask your child to help you figure out a new gadget, such as a digital camera, smartphone, new email account
- If you are tech-phobic, work on getting over these issues. Your child grows up in a different era, where technology is the norm. It is not fair to punish or belittle your children for growing up appropriately for the times.
- Give your child an opportunity to learn online. Since kids already like games, buy them some good educational games (learning a new language, doing math equations, etc.). You can trade "educational game time" for "free game time" - and your kids, despite protests, will probably have fun with both. This is "meeting them where they're at."
- Avoid the hair-trigger "he/she's an addict!" Consider your own perspective. If this is your first thought, you're probably simply speaking from your immigrant standpoint of lack of understanding.
- Consider using Nanny Net, Parental Control or similar programs to block certain sites and certain content as well as to stay informed of your children's activities. Of course, this must be instituted with an age-appropriate mindset.
- You CAN have an influence on your child - but start with the goal of understanding and respecting.
RSVP for his talk here: http://digitalageparenting.eventbrite.com/
|
"Our Town" Cast List Announced
The cast has been selected and the first rehearsals for "Our Town" began on Friday. Actors are: Stage Manager, Act 1: Emma Cooper Stage Manager, Act 2: Kiki Couchman Stage Manager, Act 3: Olivia Yazzolino George Gibbs: Cristian Isbrandtsen Dr. Gibbs: Quinn Sheridan Mrs. Gibbs: Ella Freudenberger Rebecca Gibbs: Jane Coneybeer Emily Webb: Marisa Christensen Mr. Webb: Skyler Trygstadt Mrs. Webb: Aria Schuler Wally Webb: Velsea Warton Simon Stimpson: Nick Atwood Howie Newsome: Allie Lewis Joe Crowell Jr.: Maria Fernandez Saint Crowell: Nicki Lewis Professor Willard: Brianna Lehane Constable Warren: Jack Greenberg Sam Craig: Tessa Morgan Joe Stoddard: Isabelle Garon Mrs. Forest: Graci Bundschu Mrs. Soames: Perry Coneybeer Chorus/Audience/Friend of George: Layla McDermott Chorus/Audience/Friend of George: Natalie Gulrajani Chorus/Audience/Friend of George: Alexia Lem a
|
|
"A Night in Havana" Tickets Invitations Out This Week for October 22
Watch your mail this week for your invitation to our big fall party: "Imagine: A Night in Havana" on Saturday, October 22nd at school. We are hoping that everyone will attend this fun event. It should be a great night with delicious food and drink, great music, a fabulous auction, an exciting raffle and terrific music. You can buy a table with your friends or we will seat you with others from your grade.
|
Fifth Grade Enjoys First Experiment in the Science Lab
Last week, the fifth grade class headed to the Science Lab for their first hands on lab event! They are learning about Earth: The Water Planet. The students were placed into small groups to build models of the earth from dirt, salt, sand, food coloring and water. The models demonstrated how the oceans get their salt. This week they continued in the lab and explored the water cycle by planting seedlings in greenhouse situations and checking their progress while making observations of the water cycle in action. These hands on activities were the first of many that the 5th grade students will experience in the Science Lab this year. |
| Presentation Trustee Elena Toscano Honored by California Gifted Association
The Redwood Region awarded their 2011 California Association for the Gifted Distinguished Service Award to Elena Toscano, Assistant Superintendent of the Napa Valley Unified School District. Elena serves as a Trustee of The Presentation School and her daughter Ellen was the 1st grade classroom aide for several years.
Elena has been instrumental in revamping Napa's GATE program, now refered to as "Advanced Learner Programs and Services", or ALPS. Prior to her role in Napa, Elena was Principal of Yountville Elementary School.
You can learn more about Napa's GATE/ALPS program at www.ves.nvusd.k12.ca.us/gate. Congratulations, Elena! |
Class Reps Announced
Concurrent with the Student Council Elections, each grade voted on Class Reps to be their voice in the student Council. In some classrooms as many as 20 out of 24 students chose to run!
5th grade Reps:
Dylan Rooney and Katie Kelley
6th grade Reps:
Alexis Lema, Natalie Gulrajani
7th grade Reps:
Ryan Angeloni and Mary Minigan
8th grade Reps:
Isabel Garon, Will Lennon
|
|
School-Wide Yard Sale This Coming Saturday!
Donations & Workers needed
On Saturday, September, 17th, Presentation will be holding a giant Yard Sale to benefit the 8th grade's spring trip to Washington, D.C. The grade seeks donations from all school families of clothes, housewares, art, small furniture, toys and more! Donations should be boxed or bagged nearly but can be dropped off anytime to the rear of the school stage. The sale will also feature 200+ new toys thanks to a generous donation arranged by a school family.
Save the date of Sept. 17th from 8am to 2pm.
|
|
Fall Perks Classes Start Sept. 20
Sign up for Perks today in the office or the library!
Rock Climbing, Grades K-4 on TUESDAYS, $100 for 8 weeks. Includes professional instruction and time on outdoor boulders.
"The Best You Can Be" Manners and Etiquette with Betty Tietsort, ages 7+, Tues. $150
Hand Sewing and Weaving with Moya Jones-Neely, grades 1-3, Wed. $80
La Dia de Muertos/The Day of the Dead Art Class with Wendy Brayton, grades K-8, Thur. $100 (5 weeks)
Clay Holiday Gift Making with Wendy Brayton, grades K-8, Thurs. $120 (5 weeks, starts later)
Advanced Art Oil Painting with Wendy Brayton, grades 5-8, Tues. $120 (6 weeks)
Art Expression with Jonqui Albin, ages 6-9+, Tues. $90
Super Science Fun with Teresa Caselli, grades K-8, Tues. $115
Pets Lifeline Care for Animals with Mary Green, grades K-8, Wed. $80
Yoga Kids! with Gretchen Armer, grades K-8, Thur. $125
Premier Junior Golf with Total Golf Adventures, grades K-8 Wed. $129
Basketball Club for Boys & Girls with Rebound Basketball Academy for grades K-2 (Tues. $145, 10 weeks) and 3-5 (Thur. $145, 10 weeks)
***PLEASE NOTE*** THERE IS A NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM: You may charge your school account and/or write check to: The Presentation School for entire amount (add $25 registration fee per family)!
|
Wednesday, September 14th at 2:30pm
"Making the Transition from Middle School
to High School"
This presentation for all 8th graders will cover: choosing a high school, how to get the most out of your shadowing experience, preparing for entrance and placement testing, arranging teacher recommendations, choosing a high school curriculum and balancing coursework and extra-curriculars. 8th graders will attend during the elective class period and parents are welcome. This discussion and Q&A will take place on Sept. 14 at 2:30 pm in the library.
|
|
Important School Updates:
Uniform Update: Please remember that only uniform sweaters and outerwear sold by Land's End and Classic Design may be worn at school. Just because a garment is burgundy, dark green or khaki in color, does not mean that it is approved for uniform wear.
Emergency Bags are Due! Please bring to your child's classroom no later than 9/23. Content list is in the School Handbook.
Volunteers Needed:
We are still in need of Aftercare volunteers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Aftercare is from 3:30-5:30 p.m. You will be trained the first week of school by Miss Amy, our Aftercare Coordinator. If you are interested, please contact Laura Wallace via email at lwallace@presentationschool.com or phone @ 935-0122. Lots of hugs and an opportunity to spend time with our students - what a deal!
In addition we could also use some additional help in the office from 8:30 - 12:30 one day per week on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. No expertise needed - just a willingness to have fun with the crew in the front office.
Hot Lunch:
We apologize if people had trouble finding the lunch form online last week. The hot link was available in the eNews and appears here: click here. And it was available on the right side of every page on the web site, but was missing under "Hot Lunch." We have correct the glitch and you will find it available online and in hard copy version in the office at the end of each month.
|
|
Community News:
BBK still has space to join their newest production of the Broadway musical "Once On This Island." Rehearsals are every Monday evening and the production will be staged in mid-January.
Cub Scouts:
We're happy to announce that Presentation School will be the new site of the regular meetings of Sonoma's Cub Scout Pack 16. Boys in grades 1-5 may join Pack 16. Members of the Pack come from Sassarini, Prestwood, St. Francis, Sonoma Charter, Presentation, and other private and homeschooled boys from the same neighborhoods. Dens of 5-6 boys meet two to four times a month and the entire pack meets once a month, on the third Tuesday of every month. Click here for more information about Cub Scouts in Sonoma.
Girls Scouts:
A new Girl Scout Troup is forming at Presentation School for grades K-5. There will be an organizational meeting for interested parents on Monday, September 19 at 2:30 p.m. Parent involvement is needed. Please email acrowell@oal.com for more information or to volunteer.
|
|
Facebook: Like Us! 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
